Guard Shannon Brown to re-sign with Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Shannon Brown is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers, turning down more lucrative offers for a shot at a third straight championship.

Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the high-flying free agent guard agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.6 million to return for his third season with Los Angeles.

"He's been there two years, and they've won two championships," Bartelstein said. "There's very few times you have a chance to go for a threepeat. When you have that opportunity, he couldn't pass it up."

The Lakers acquired Brown in a trade in early 2009, and he quickly earned a role in their rotation as a backup to Kobe Bryant. Brown also became a crowd favorite for his acrobatic dunks, earning an invitation to last season's dunk contest at All-Star weekend.

Brown averaged career highs of 8.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season while playing solid defense for the Lakers. His role could grow next season if Los Angeles attempts to reduce Bryant's minutes to keep him fresh for another postseason, although Brown again will be competing for minutes with Sasha Vujacic.

After opting out of his contract earlier this summer, Brown spent the past four weeks considering offers from several teams, including New York, Cleveland and New Orleans. Most offered longer deals with more security, but little shot at title contention.

After the Michigan State product bounced around the NBA with four teams in his first three seasons, comfort and championships were more important than a little extra cash - and if Brown has another strong season, he can opt out of the second year of his deal again next summer.

"He loves everything that's happened for him in L.A.," Bartelstein said. "He had more lucrative offers out there for sure, but he wanted to keep going with the Lakers."

The deal pushes the NBA's highest payroll even higher to almost $95 million - well over the likely threshold for the luxury tax, which owner Jerry Buss has been willing to pay while his team wins championships.

The Lakers signed Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff last month to bolster their bench, which had no consistent contributors beyond Lamar Odom and Brown last season.

Brown's signing will put 12 veterans under contract with the Lakers, who also are interested in signing second-round draft picks Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter. Los Angeles had 13 players last season.